WITH everyone in the cricket world firmly focussed on the Ashes series in Australia, closer to home Basingstoke and North Hants cricketers are celebrating the news of promotion into the top tier of the Southern League.

This was was approved at the league's AGM on Monday evening. Division One champions Calmore Sports did not have the necessary ground accreditation to get promoted, so the second placed Bountymen take their place.

It will mean a return to nine weeks of all-day cricket to May’s Bounty for the first time since the club’s Home Counties Premier League days and a first taste of white ball 50-over cricket, using coloured clothing and black sight screens.

Reaching the top tier of the Southern League had always been the sole aim of the club, when they switched from the Thames Valley League in 2013.

A delighted club captain Mitch Stokes said: “It is great to see premier cricket at May's Bounty next year, the lads can't wait to get going.

"White ball cricket will be new to a lot of people and all day cricket too so players will have to adapt through the season."